Miniature rose plant &#39;JENthree&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new miniature rose plant which has abundant, long lasting, orange colored flowers and attractive foliage. The variety successfully propagates from softwood cuttings and is suitable for year round production in commercial glass houses as a flowering pot plant. This new and distinct variety has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

LATIN NAME OF GENUS AND SPECIES

Rosa hybrida ‘JENthree’.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

The new variety is named ‘JENthree’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention constitutes a new and distinct variety ofminiature rose plant, which was developed by artificially pollinating anunnamed seedling (not patented in the US) with an unnamed seedling (notpatented in the US). The two parents were crossed during the summer of2001, and the resulting seed was sown in December 2001, in a controlledglasshouse environment. Out of the resulting seedlings one seedling wasselected, as a distinct new variety and was named ‘JENthree’.

The variety can be distinguished from its seed parent, an unnamedseedling, by the following combination of characteristics:

-   -   ‘JENthree’ has medium sized double flowers, while the unnamed        seed parent has large double flowers.    -   ‘JENthree’ has pink colored petals, while the unnamed seed        parent has red petals.

The new variety may distinguished from its pollen parent, an unnamedseedling created by the same inventor, by the following combination ofcharacteristics:

-   -   ‘JENthree’ has bigger flowers and foliage as compared to the        unnamed pollen parent.    -   ‘JENthree’ has pink colored petals, while the unnamed pollen        parent has dark red petals.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Initial asexual reproduction of ‘JENthree’ by cuttings was first carriedout by the inventor in Christiansfeld, Denmark. The reproduction wasconducted under controlled greenhouse conditions. Having demonstratedasexual reproduction it was found that all characteristics anddistinctions came true to form and were established in succeedingpropagations. ‘JENthree’ is a low and compact miniature rose with mediumvigor.

The objective of the hybridization of this rose variety for commercialgreenhouse culture was to create a new and distinct variety with:

-   -   Uniform and abundant flowers with good keeping properties;    -   Attractive long lasting foliage and compact growth;    -   Year round flowering under glasshouse conditions;    -   Suitability for production from softwood cuttings in pots;    -   Durable flowers and foliage which make the variety suitable for        distribution in the floral industry.        This combination of qualities was not present in previously        available commercial cultivars of this type and distinguish        ‘JENthree’ from all other varieties of which we are aware. The        seeds from hybridization were planted in a controlled        environment and evaluations were conducted on the resulting        plants. ‘JENthree’ was selected by Svend Jensen, in his        development program in Christiansfeld, Denmark

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color illustrations show as true as is reasonable toobtain in color photographs of this type, the typical characteristics ofthe buds, flowers, leaves, stems of ‘JENthree’. Specifically illustratedin:

Photo sheet 1:

FIG. 1: Young shoot.

FIG. 2: Bud before opening of the sepals.

FIG. 3: Bud at the stage of opening of the sepals.

FIG. 4: Bud at the stage of opening the petals.

FIG. 5: Flower during course of opening.

FIG. 6: Open flower—plan view—obverse.

FIG. 7: Open flower—plan view—reverse.

FIG. 8: Fully open flower—plan view—obverse.

FIG. 9: Fully open flower—plan view—reverse.

Photo sheet 2:

FIG. 10: Receptacle showing stamens and pistils.

FIG. 11: Receptacle showing pistils (stamens and sepals removed).

FIG. 12: Flower petals, detached—inner surface.

FIG. 13: Flower petals, detached—outer surface.

FIG. 14: Bare stem exhibiting thorns and flower attachment.

FIG. 15: Three leaflets upper side.

FIG. 16: Three leaflets reverse side.

FIG. 17: Five leaflets upper side.

FIG. 18: Five leaflets reverse side.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed description of the Miniature Rose: Rosahybrida ‘JENthree’.

The following observations, measurements, values and comparisonsdescribe plants grown in glass houses in Christiansfeld, Denmark. Theage of the observed plants where 11 to 13 weeks after propagation bycuttings, and growth as a flowering pot plant in container of 10centimeters diameter.

Environmental conditions in the cultivation area for the observed plantsranged from 64 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit with and 10 to 20 hours of lightper day. Light levels ranged from 600 foot candle to 6000 foot candles.The relative humidity ranged from 50 to 85%. Bonzi brand growthregulator(R′,R′-beta-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-alpha(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-ethanol)was used to modify the plant shape.

Color references are made using The Royal Horticultural Society (London,England) Colour Chart, 1995, except where common terms of color areused.

For a comparison, the nearest existing rose variety is ‘POULrolyt’, arose variety described and illustrated in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,138.

Chart 1 details several physical characteristics of ‘JENthree’ and‘POULrolyt’. CHART 1 ‘JENthree’ ‘POULrolyt’ Petal color, Upper Red GroupRed Group surface 50 C 50A Petal color, Reverse Red Group Red Groupsurface 50 C 58 B Petal count 40 30-35

-   Parents:    -   -   Seed parent.—Unnamed seedling.        -   Pollen parent.—Unnamed seedling.-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Rosa hybrida.        -   Commercial.—Miniature.-   Plant:    -   -   Plant growth.—Moderately vigorous. Grows compact upright to            bushy. When grown as 10 cm pot plant, the average height of            the plant itself is 18 to 20 cm, and average width is 20 cm.            When grown as a 15 cm pot plant, the average height of the            plant itself is 22 to 27 cm, and average width is 30 cm.            Production time is generally 11 to 13 weeks depending on            average temperature, light level, and cultural practices.-   Stem:    -   -   Color.—Young wood: Yellow-Green Group 146 B. (With            intonations of Greyed-Purple Group 183D) Older wood:            Yellow-Green Group 147 B. (With intonations of Greyed-Purple            Group 183D).        -   Thorns.—Incidence: 6 to 8 thorns per stem. Size: 2-3 mm.            Color: Greyed-Purple Group 183D Shape: Deep concave.        -   Surface.—Young wood: Smooth Older wood: Smooth.        -   Stem.—Diameter: 2-3 mm Internode length: 20-30 mm Numbers of            internodes: 5-6.-   Plant Foliage: Leaves arranged alternately, compound with 3 to 5    leaflets per leaf, generally symmetrical, abundant, and flat in    aspect. Stipules at petiole base.    -   -   Quantity of leaves.—5-6 per lateral branch.        -   Leaf size.—Medium 40-60 mm (l). by 30-40 mm (w), for five            leaflets.        -   Petioles.—Color: Yellow-Green Group 147 A, (With intonations            of Greyed-Purple Group 183D). Margins: entire Length: 5-7 mm            Diameter: about 0.5-1 mm.        -   Stipules.—Size: 7-10 mm Surface: Smooth Color: Yellow-Green            Group 147A-B, Margins: Entire.        -   Rachis.—Color: Yellow-Green Group 147A (With intonations of            Greyed-Purple Group 183D). Margins: Entire. Length: 10 to 20            mm Diameter: 0.5-1 mm.        -   Leaflets.—Edge: Serrated Serration: Single Shape: Ovate with            acute apex and obtuse base. Texture: Smooth. Appearance:            Dull. Size: length: 15 to 30 mm. Width: 8 to 15 mm.        -   Color: young foliage.—Upper surface: Yellow-Green Group 147B            (with intonations of Greyed-Purple Group 183D). Lower            surface: Greyed-Green Group 189A (with intonations of            Greyed-Purple Group 183D).        -   Color: mature foliage.—Upper surface: Yellow-Green Group            147A. Lower surface: Greyed-Green Group 191A.        -   Leaf vein color.—Upper surface: Yellow-Green Group 147A.            Reverse surface: Greyed-Green Group 192D.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Blooming habit.—Recurrent.        -   Number of flowers.—Generally 3-5 buds per flowering stem.        -   Peduncle.—Color: Yellow-Green Group 147B-C. Texture: Smooth,            Length: 10-20 mm Orientation: Upright.        -   Receptacle.—Surface: Smooth, glabrous. Shape: Funnel-shaped            Size: 5-6 mm (h) by 5-6 mm (w) Color: Yellow-Green Group            147C.        -   Sepals.—Quantity: 5 Shape: Narrowly Ovate with acute tip            Texture: Leathery Margin: Foliaceous appendages on 2 of the            five sepals Appearance: Dull Color: Upper surface:            Yellow-Green Group 147A-B, Reverse surface: Greyed-Green            Group 191D, Size: 20 mm (l), by 5 mm (w).        -   Buds.—Size: 15-20 mm (h) by 10-12 mm (w) upon opening.            Shape: Cupped Color: at ¼ open, Red Group 50C.        -   Flower.—Duration. As a pot plant, flowers last from 17 to 19            days. Fragrance. None. Size: 40-50 mm in diameter. Depth:            14-17 mm. Form: (Shape of flower when viewed from the side).            Up on opening: Cupped Open flower: Flat.        -   Color.—Petals, upon opening Upper surface: Red Group 50C,            Reverse surface: Red Group 50C, Petals after opening: Upper            surface: Red Group 50C, Reverse surface: Red Group 50C (with            intonations of White Group 155D). Basal Petals spots: Size:            1-3 mm Color: White Group 155D. General tonality: On Open            flower: Third day: Red Group 50C, Afterwards: Red Group 50C.        -   Petals.—Petal reflex. Outermost petals reflex backwards at            opening Fully open all petals reflex backwards. Texture:            Smooth. Petal edge: Entire. Petal count. Approximately 40 on            the average per flower. Petal size: 15-20 mm (l) by 10-20 mm            (w). Shape: Outer petals: Round Inner petals: Ovate Apex:            Orbicular, Base: Obtuse to rotundate.        -   Reproductive organs.—Stamen number: Approximately 40 on            average per flower Stamens length: 4-5 mm. Pollen. Color:            Yellow-Orange Group 22B. Pollen Abundance: High. Anther            Size: 1-1.5 mm. Anther Color: Yellow-Orange Group 22D.            Anther Shape: Oblong. Filament Size: 3-4 mm. Filament Color:            White Group 155D. Pistils number: Approximately 25 on            average per flower. Stigma Location: Inferior in location            relative anthers Stigma Color: Green-White Group 157D Style            Color:. Green-White Group 157D (with intonations of            Greyed-Purple Group 187D). Style Length: 1 to 2 mm.-   Development:    -   -   Vegetation.—Dense.        -   Blooming.—Abundant.        -   Fruit set.—Poor.        -   Disease resistance.—Above average resistance to mildew and            Botrytis under normal growing conditions in Christiansfeld,            Denmark.        -   Hips/seeds.—Fruits have not been observed because the plant            has never been grown to the stage of seed development            because the variety is developed for use as a flowering pot            plant only. Winter hardiness & Drought/heat tolerance have            not been evaluated because the variety is a potted flowering            plant, developed for a one time use only.        -   Petals.—Petal reflex. Outermost petals reflex backwards at            opening. Fully open all petals reflex backwards. Texture.            Smooth. Petal edge. Entire. Petal count. Approximately 45 on            the average per flower. Petal size. Length 10-15 mm Width:            10-15 mm. Shape. Outer petals: Round Inner petals: Ovate            Apex: Orbicular, Base: Obtuse to rotundate.        -   Reproductive organs.—Stamen number: Approximately 60 on            average per flower Stamens length: 5-6 mm. Pollen. Color:            Yellow-Orange Group 20D, Abundance: Average Anthers. Size:            1-1.5 mm Color: Orange-White Group 159D, Shape: Oblong.            Filaments. Size: 4-5 mm Color: White Group 155D. Pistils            number: Approximately 40 on average per flower. Stigmas.            Location: Under in location to anthers Color: Green-White            Group 157D Styles. Color: Green-White Group 157D Length: 1            to 2 mm.-   Development:    -   -   Vegetation.—Dense.        -   Blooming.—Abundant.        -   Aptitude to bear fruit.—Poor.        -   Resistance to diseases.—Above average resistance to mildew            and Botrytis under normal growing conditions in            Christiansfeld, Denmark. Hips/seeds has not been observed            due to that the plant has never been grown to the stage of            seed development, due to the fact, that the variety is            developed for use as a flowering pot plant only.        -   Winter hardiness & drought/heat tolerance.—Due to the fact,            that this variety is a potted flowering plant, developed for            one time use only (indoor houseplant), the plant is not            tested for winter hardiness or drought/heat tolerance

1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant of the miniature class,substantially as herein illustrated and described as a distinct andnovel rose variety due to its abundant, long lasting, orange coloredflowers, attractive long lasting foliage, vigorous and compact growth,year round flowering under glasshouse conditions, suitability forproduction from softwood cuttings in pots, and durable flowers andfoliage which make the variety suitable for distribution in the floralindustry.